Reporting expenses and benefits provided to employees

HMRC have recently updated their toolkit dealing with the reporting of expenses and benefits provided to employees and directors in the light of significant recent changes in this area.

HMRC toolkits are designed to help minimise the risk of errors in returns and computations and their use, although voluntary, will be taken into consideration in determining whether or not reasonable care has been taken in the completion of a return such as a form P11d reporting expenses and benefits.

Reminder: It is no longer necessary to obtain a reporting dispensation from HMRC for certain reimbursed expenses such as travelling and subsistence. But it is still important for the employer to keep records to demonstrate that such expenses have been reviewed to ensure that they have been incurred wholly, exclusively and necessarily in the performance of the employee’s duties. The toolkit reminds us to keep a record of the date and details of the expenses and benefits provided with associated documentation and also a record of any contributions made by a director or employee towards the cost of expenses and benefits provided to them. This recording also includes the new exemption for the provision of trivial benefits to employees.